All teachers know that December in the classroom can get a bit chaotic. Between the colder weather, holiday parties, and of course a long Christmas break, it can sometimes feel as though you are in survival mode. HOWEVER, the learning must go on and to make your life easier, I have compiled my favorite December math ideas into one post!
So without further ado, let’s dive into the best December math activities to do in the classroom. Don’t worry, I promise they are low prep and easy to do!
December Math Ideas
My class loves festive activities each year. Their engagement level skyrockets, and they look forward to what is next. I love it when they forget they are even learning!
These following December-themed math activities will hopefully accomplish the same thing in your classroom!
1. Holidays Around the World Math Centers
Every December, I introduce my Holidays Around the World unit. It’s the perfect cross-curricular way to engage your students during this busy month. In addition to teaching geography, reading comprehension, and writing activities, there are also many math activities inside.
Whether you teach 1st, 2nd, or 3rd, you’ll find fun and festive math center ideas to use during the month of December. Students will receive a “mathport” (a passport, but traveling around the math centers) to keep track of the centers they complete.
There are 12 total math center activities for each grade level ranging from Tangram Games in China to Gingerbread Math in Germany. Click the pictures below to grab your grade level!
2. Free Winter Math Game: Race to the Snowman
If you are looking for a super simple, no-prep December math activity, this fun game is for you! All you need to do is print the board games (1 per pair) and gather dice, whiteboards, and markers. Your students can make their own game pieces out of paper (this will help even more with engagement).
Then, students will take turns rolling the dice and moving that amount of spaces. They then will show their move using a math sentence on their personal whiteboard. The first one to 100 (or 120) is the winner!
Grab the game board and instructions here!
3. Christmas Break Countdown
If you have yet to try a Christmas Break countdown in your classroom…here’s your sign! It’s a quick and easy way to increase engagement when their brains may be elsewhere (Santa, sledding, presents…you know…December things).
Your students will be delighted as they count down the last 5 days before Christmas or winter break! Your class will love the roll-down anchor chart and simple daily gifts with matching Christmas math and ELA activities.
Students then use the treats to do the tasks! It’s fun AND educational. The resource includes activity pages, gift tags, and the option for digital activities.
And if you have students who do not celebrate Christmas, I’ve included a fun snowman-themed version for them! Simply use the non-holiday gift tags and activity pages, and you’re set.
Available for Grades K-4. See every grade level here.
4. Gingerbread Man Glyphs: Decorating for Data
If your class is anything like mine, they LOVE anything and everything food-related. In this gingerbread man glyph activity, students will not only get to decorate (and eventually eat) their gingerbread men, but they will also get to generate data according to a glyph key.
I love to pair this activity with a full Gingerbread-themed unit which includes reading variations of the Gingerbread Man story and various writing activities.
5. What Does the Clock Say
Although not holiday-related, we usually teach time in December. This telling time unit is extra engaging and the perfect short unit to include in your December lesson planning.
The game helps students to identify the time in analog, digital, and word form for time to the hour, half hour, and nearest five minutes. It makes a great whole-group game that everyone can play! Mr. C even made the perfect video to use before this game!
Click here to grab the full lesson plan with anchor chart parts, student books, and all the directions!
December Math Ideas Recap
I hope these fun and simple December math ideas help to make December in your classroom extra fun! They are guaranteed to increase engagement and keep students excited and still learning! Even with winter break looming around the corner.
Here’s a quick recap (with direct links) of all the festive resources.
- Holidays Around the World Math Centers
- Race to the Snowman Game
- Christmas Break Countdown (Grades K-4)
- Gingerbread Man Glyphs
- What Does the Clock Say?
For more December ideas, free resources, and holiday activities, click on the pictures to visit these holiday posts!
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